How to Identify Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Patient with CRPS

When you have a minor injury such as a small paper cut or a sprain, you expect to have pain. Your nervous system will send pain signals to the affected area until the injury heals. Once the damage has been repaired, it should stop sending pain signals. It should simply ‘forget’ that there was an injury there and you should be able to use the affected area. One of the scariest things about RSD is that it can occur even if the patient didn’t suffer an injury. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a neurological disorder that can affect any area of the body. It can strike anyone at any age and although research continues, there is no cure. This condition can not go left untreated because it can get to the point where the muscles and tissues atrophy and amputation may be necessary. The earlier that CRPS is diagnosed, the better the outcome. The following are symptoms that may indicate this nervous system disorder.

Instructions

How to Identify Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

1. Extreme pain. Pain can be constant or may come and go. Pain is also out of proportion to the injury. For example, a sprained wrist causes some discomfort, but CRPS will cause severe pain. It can keep you up at night and no amount of over-the-counter pain medication will alleviate the pain. This pain has been described as aching or stabbing.

2. Sensitivity to touch. One of the most important symptoms that indicate CRPS is that you are unable to be touched in the affected area. For example, if someone shakes your hand that has CRPS, you will feel severe pain hours after being touched. Clothing or a blanket on the affected body part can not be tolerated because the body will send pain signals. This is referred to as hyperalgesia. It is as if your nervous system is in overdrive sending pain signals long after you have been touched. You will get to the point where you will avoid being touched.

3. Burning pain. While CRPS causes aching pain, you will also feel as if the affected limb is on fire. The burning is intense and constant. Rubbing the affected area will only make symptoms worse.

4. Severe pain with movement. CRPS will make you feel pain when you try and move the affected limb.

5. Changes in skin color. The affected limb will be reddish or bluish. The colors will vary depending on the symptoms. Try to compare it to your normal limb. Almost immediately, you will notice a difference in color. The affected limb may also sweat profusely.

6. Swelling. The affected limb will be swollen or have edema. This swelling can be constant or it may also come and go.

7. Inability to tolerate hot or cold packs on the area. A standard form of treatment when you are trying to heal an injury is to use ice or heat to minimize swelling or pain. CRPS will cause you to feel extreme pain when you attempt to do this. Even a cool breeze that touches your affected limb will cause pain.

8. Changes in the hair and nails of the affected area. In the late stages of CRPS, your nails may grow faster or become weak and brittle.

Tips & Warnings

• The best prognosis results when you treat it as early as possible. If you have any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor.

• CRPS requires aggressive treatment such as stellate ganglion injections, strong medications, and physical therapy.

• Follow your medication schedule and never alter it without your physician’s knowledge.

• It is common for CRPS patients to feel depressed because of the way that they feel on a daily basis. Please know that you are not alone and that there is always hope. Reach out to support groups either online or in your area. There are many that have walked in your shoes. They will be more than happy to show you how to cope with this frustrating condition.

• Never give up. If you can make it one day with RSD, you will make it the next day too. Be strong and optimistic.

• Loved ones may not understand the real toll that this disorder takes on you.